~ON TOP OF THE WORLD~

If I have ever visited a place that can only be described as breathtaking, Machu Picchu is it.  I have never before experienced something so incredible, words to try and explain it really won't do it justice and it's hard to understand unless you've actually been there.  I have never visited the Rockies or any other mountains so maybe I don't have anything to compare them to, but the Andes Mountains are gigantic.  They have no problem making you realize just how small you really are.  So, first to be surrounded by these overwhelming mountains and then to see the ruins of a civilization hundreds of years old still intact and perfectly hidden amongst the Andes was just the absolute most amazing experience and the highlight of my trip so far. 

We arrived in Cusco and immediately began our journey to Machu Picchu.  Along the way we stopped at a local's house to see how textiles from alpaca are made and dyed, had a traditional lunch, and visited the ruins in the Sacred Valley of the Incas in Ollantaytambo.  Then, we boarded a train and arrived after dark to the town of Aguas Calientes, the town closet to Machu Picchu.

The next day we boarded our last bus that would finally take us to the entrance of Machu Picchu!  And, what a great year to visit!  2011 is the 100th Anniversary of the rediscovery of Machu Picchu by the American explorer, Hiram Bingham.  Before the guided tour we had the option of climbing Waynapicchu...


This is Waynapicchu.  Don't underestimate her.



Now, I just happened to be one of the few lucky enough to experience a stomach bug during this trip so on top of a high altitude headache, I wasn’t feeling quite at 100% this morning.  But, who knows exactly how many chances I will have to climb this mountain again so off I go and there is no turning back.  It is a long, hot, steep, step after step after step process, but the view from the top was completely worth it and unlike anything I ever seen!  The reward was a 360 degree view of the Andes, Machu Picchu, and the Urubamba river running in between it all.  There were ruins on the very top of the mountain that have basically been untouched…it is not “fixed” at the top for tourists, you have to jump/walk from rock to rock or at some points go under them and just watch your step because it is so steep.  Those Incas had to have had fantastic thighs because I don’t know how they went up and down these mountains everyday.  And, I don’t know how I did it, especially not feeling well, but I did and once I could see the top and the “finish line” I forgot about basically everything and just started sprinting up the steps as fast as I could go.  It was such an awesome, indescribable feeling to be at the top, like being on top of the world…



Proudest picture of my LIFE!

Awesome, isn't it?!



 After conquering Waynapicchu, we began our guided tour of Machu Picchu.  The only reason Machu Picchu even still exists today is because it was never discovered by the Spanish explorer, Pizarro, and his conquistadors.  Machu Picchu was built into the mountains in a way that it was naturally camouflaged from below.  So, because it was never discovered, it was never destroyed by the Spanish.  We got to see the temples believed to be for the nobles, the sundial, used to tell time (like many of the ancient civilizations, Mayans, etc. the Incas studied the stars), an area called the Condor (the three sacred animals for the Incas were the Condor, the Puma, and the Serpent), and, of course, a lot of llamas.  After our tour, despite being hungry and thirsty, I sat for a while and just enjoyed the scenery, tried to take it all in, it was just so incredible.  I can’t fully explain the feeling. 



The view from the other side, looking back at Waynapicchu!



He's posing...



And a view of the other side (opposite of Waynapicchu) from within
 the ruins, the mountain Machu Picchu...perhaps I will climb it one day too.



After a wonderful day spent at Machu Picchu, we boarded the train to head back to Ollantaytambo for the night.  The next day we got to enjoy some shopping at one of the markets (blankets made from alpaca fur are the best ever), visited a llama and alpaca farm, and visited the ruins of Sacsayhuaman (or “sexay woman” as English speakers like to pronounce it) on our way back to Cusco.  In Cusco, we had a full day free to visit museums, markets, and just explore.  In the morning, by accident (not that it could be missed) we watched the parade that happens in Cusco every Sunday with the military and people from all different regions and backgrounds dressed in their traditional clothing, dancing, and playing music!  It was quite festive!

Market shopping anyone?

 This trip had no problem in making me fall completely in love with Peru.  It is a land to be explored there is no question about it and I definitely see another trip to Peru in my future.